Do you ever get the "diabetes blues" and ask yourself why you bother with diabetes management? My son says that there are times when he wishes he could just take a break from his diabetes management. And sometimes, he does.

Diabetes is with you every day, and it's not going to go away. You're asked to eat better, exercise more and check your blood sugar. You're also asked to manage your weight, check your feet, get regular eye and dental exams, and report on your mood and sexuality. You're essentially asked to think about everything you put into your mouth. It's no wonder that people with diabetes often want a time-out.

Riva Greenberg provides some practical tips for taking a safe break in her book, "50 Diabetes Myths That Can Ruin Your Life."

Create a plan with your care team to ensure that your diabetes control isn't compromised.

Understand that you aren't quitting your diabetes care altogether, just taking a very brief break.

Skip a noncritical blood glucose check once or twice a week.

Check your blood sugar less often one day a week when you tend to eat and exercise the way you usually do. This gives you some confidence that you can safely guesstimate how you're doing.

Ask someone to help share the load — perhaps a family member, friend or another person who has diabetes and understands.

It's also important that you recognize unsafe vacations from diabetes. An unsafe vacation is one that isn't planned, goes on for a long time, or during which you're faithful about taking your medication or insulin but don't test your blood sugar. If you're experiencing emotional issues, diabetes burnout or depression, seek help — consult your primary healthcare provider.

In his book "Diabetes Burnout," William Polonsky, Ph.D., says it well: "Part of taking care of diabetes is to remember that safe breaks now and then are a necessary, allowable part of your treatment plan."

I got off the bandwagon, so to speak, during a difficult divorce, and got back on after I was hospitalized for nearly fainting at work (glucose level of 597 in the ER). I'm doing great now, 5 months later; my doc just today took me off Metformin. I think taking a break now and then is good. I decided some time ago, that on my birthday this month, I did not have diabetes. I was bad. I was very bad. And then the next day, I was good again. It allowed me to have the foods I desperately miss (oh, how they sing their siren song!) and provided a set time limit, as well as gave me a treat on my day. I intend to be bad, though not AS bad, on Thanksgiving and Christmas. As my doctor says, it's NOT a punishment!

Pat

August 10, 2011 10:48 a.m.

I think it's honest of me to say that every diabetic goes through some sort of depression. I've been there and often go through different relms of depression with my diabetes. I think that taking a break, but in the right way, is a smart idea and can relieve alot of that stress. With having a full time job, a full time husband and canine to take care of as well as managing my diabetes I sometimes feel overwhelmed. I have tried some things that have helped, some that were mentioned above actually. Instead of checking seven times a day I have been testing five-six times a day. I endulge in a few beers when I get off work and drink them while my husband and I cook dinner together. We have also communicated better with what we like to eat. We have made compromises on both parts so that we each get a healthy meal at night. I also get my exercise with walking my dog so it kind of takes away from exercise being a &quot;chore&quot; so to speak. All in all I think it's smart to back off when needed from diabetes management because you'll never be perfect, believe me I've tried to be but have realized over the years that I won't be able to have those perfect bg's all the time! Enjoy your life, endulge in what you like but do it in a smart and healthy way and it will have its advantages!

Amy

February 15, 2011 7:24 a.m.

my husband dosage of glypizide has just been increased to twice a day even though it is normally recommended once a day. suggestions or comments
Januvia was removed from his daily intake

wife

December 22, 2010 4:22 p.m.

John, Diabacure is a combination of 9 ayurvedic herbs and has not been studied in any human trials. Herb to herb interactions are a real concern. We recommend only use natural products that have under gone human trials with results in published peer-review journals. This is from the director of Complementary and Integrative Medicine program at Mayo.

Nancy and Peggy

December 17, 2010 6:11 a.m.

My husband also does the main meal cooking and it is a constant problem. I am not particularly blue at the moment but after several years getting kudos about how good my Type 2 management was I started taking holidays and now I have stacked on the weight and seldom even test my blood sugar levels. Will be lots of New Year's resolutions to get back on track.

Ellen

December 16, 2010 12:39 p.m.

I don't take vacations from my T2 plan, but this is a difficult time of year. I pick one traditional family treat and try to keep it down to one serving at the family party. I also have an online support group that I meet with daily. That is more of a help than anything else. They understand without explanation or judgement. I look at diabetes as just one more facet of my life and it's okay. My goal is to stay within the A1c zone that keeps me from neuropathy and not needing prescription drugs.

Carol

December 15, 2010 10:42 p.m.

Dr. Polonsky's book is a real helpful guide for people struggling with handling their emotions and feelings regarding &quot;living well with diabetes.&quot; Chronic blues and diabetes seem to walk hand-in-hand for some individuals, esp. me! This is nothing to be ashamed of, as controlled diabetes is a full time job, and all the sticks and injections, diet and exercise, appts. and office visits really weigh heavy sometimes. The Holidays are my favorite time of the year. Just watch the recipes and keep counting your carbs. My favorite drink is club soda with a splash of cranberry juice. Delicious and festive. Count your blessings and remember those you love, and say thanks to every member of your health care team.

kyjockey

December 15, 2010 5:16 a.m.

My aunt has diabetes and I want to know whether the ayurvedic medicines such as diabacure can cure diabetes.Thanks

jOHN

December 14, 2010 1:38 p.m.

I appreciated reading this - as I have been feeling that &quot;blue&quot; feeling recently and felt I deserved to eat something that is not on my list....glad to know that I can take a brief break and forego testing the next day.
Thank you.

Joan

December 14, 2010 9:47 a.m.

My husband (retired) is on an insulin pump - been type 1 for 53 years. He has timess where his diabetes is not so good - and he gets depressed a lot. His dr thinks he's doing better than most at his age - but that doesn't make it easier to live with. I will definitely check this book out.

Barb

December 14, 2010 8:33 a.m.

Since my husband retired, he feels he should do the cooking and give me a break since I work an average of 50 hours at work. But the problem is, he won't listen to me when I tell him the kinds of food I should be eating. Since he retired, my meals have been mostly pizza, tacos, hamburgers (essentially take out food). When I tell him I shouldn't eat that, he gets mad. I try to eat healthy when I'm at work but my management is still suffering.

Sandy

December 10, 2010 12:58 p.m.

I frequently take breaks from my diabetes management... I stop using my CGM, or I skip checking for an afternoon now and then. Sometimes I just eat differently (and take a lot more insulin!). As a personal trainer I have learned that rest time is just as important as active time and I think the same is true in my diabetes management.
I tried going off my pump for a few days and using Lantus instead but it was so new and different after 15 years on my pump I was miserable-- that wasn't a break for me at all! www.diabetesoutside.com

Legal Conditions and Terms

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.